US State Department Urges Dialogue in Kirkuk

 Despite escalating tensions in Kirkuk, which have resulted in multiple casualties, the US State Department has urged Iraqi and Kurdish authorities to resolve the conflict through dialogue.

Kirkuk, a disputed province between Iraq's federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), suffered four deaths and 15 injuries on 3 September. Security forces attempted to disperse irate Kurdish protesters demanding the reopening of the Kirkuk-Erbil highway, which Iraq's PMF had blocked for nearly a week.

In a press conference on Tuesday, 5 September, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, said, "We are closely monitoring the tensions in Kirkuk. We condemn the violence that took place and express our condolences to the families of those killed." "The US calls on all parties to resolve any disputes through dialogue and through the activation of Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution."

As a result of expected protests in front of Kirkuk's citadel, Iraq's top commander of the ground forces, Lieutenant General Qassem Al-Mohammadi, and Iraq's Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, arrived in Kirkuk on Thursday to supervise security arrangements.

In order to prevent the Kurds from holding fresh demonstrations, Iraqi authorities deployed intensive security in front of Kirkuk's citadel.

Article 140 of the Iraqi permanent constitution establishes a framework for resolving the status of constitutionally contested regions, including Kirkuk, known for its oil wealth and is in the crosshairs of the Iraqi federal government and the KRG.